WESTWOOD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

February 28, 2021 _ 10:00 AM SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT

PRELUDE "Bro. James Air" Sam Batt Owens WELCOME

OPENING OURSELVES TO WORSHIP

PRAYER OF CONFESSIONLet us acknowledge our need to restore, repair, renew our Holy Vessels, which include the communities of which we are a part. Let us pray: You created us for each other. You set in us a yearning for companionship and an empathy that binds us together, protecting each other and delighting in one another. Yet too often we have broken down our relationships instead of building them up. We have been set against one another with the lie of scarcity. We have built systems and economies that widen the gap of resources rather than safeguarding equitable practices. Too many, and growing numbers, are suffering hardship, food insecurity, joblessness. We cannot fathom the proportions of loss and so we look away, sometimes even from the need in our own community. Help us, Healer. Show us our empathy. Forgive our complacence. Move us to move one step at a time toward greater care for one another. In this silence, we sense and acknowledge our yearning for wholeness.

SILENCE

REFRAIN

ASSURANCEAgain this week, I invite you to imagine a warmth begin to arise within the core of your body. It may help to keep your eyes closed. This warm orb of light is deep within you, a flame always there and ready when you need it. This warm glow begins to emerge from the recesses of your inner being to fill and flood your whole body until your skin is glowing with it, radiating outward. This warmth that

wraps you as a blanket of assurance is one you want to share. You want all to feel this presence, to kindle this hope. Know this: This love and security is meant for all people. No. Matter. What. We are capable of sharing our light and not running out of “enough.” Christ’s hospitality that broke through false boundaries points the way. For you, for me, for all. Take a deep breath in to let this truth fill you…and breathe out with the relief of assurance.

PEACEI invite you to imagine the warmth that surrounds you extending to those who may be next to you in close proximity. Imagine it extending beyond your walls to the neighborhood…the wider community…the church…and seeing it spread like the rising sun, let it expand to all the world. Let this be our peace. Amen.

If you have not already, I invite you to open your eyes. The peace of Christ is with you.And also with you.

SONG: “Help Us Accept Each Other” UMH 560

A CONTEMPORARY WORD

MUSICAL PROCLAMATION "Ariosa"  J.S. Bach Bonnie Harley, flute

AN ANCIENT WORD Matthew 8:5-13

SERMON“Safe Keeping”

Pastor Wayne Jones

CALL TO PRAYER “Come and Find the Quiet Center” FWS 2128

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

THE LORD’S PRAYEROur Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

GIVING OUR GIFTSWe can give online at our website: www.umc-westwood.org,

or we can mail our gifts into the church office:105 Fairview Ave. Westwood, NJ 07675)

OFFERTORY PRAYERRedeeming Lord, we find it extremely difficult to deny ourselves. Our relationships and our future aspirations often seem absent of glorifying your holy name. Instead, we deceive ourselves into

equating good works with faithful discipleship. The Gospel reminds us that we are called to bridge the gap between casual commitment and true discipleship. We give this offering as a way to move toward closer discipleship with you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

SONG “The Voice of God is Calling” UMH 436

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE “Toccata on Hyfrydol” Roland H. Prichard arr. Joel Raney

“Worship series design and original music ©Worship Design Studio, used with permission. www.worshipdesignstudio.com/vessels